katha

IMO it was clear in season one that Bailey is a strong and experienced actor who can handle whatever they throw at him. And looking back, some of the stuff they started with him in season one paid off in season two: Trying to escape his duties with his mistress, his tense relationship with Violet, him being the one character who actually apologizes when he screws up. OTOH the writing for him in season one at least had some sort of direction, even if it made him unlikeable. The writing for Colin is IMO either non-existent or just bad. At current evidence I'm not sure they know how to write for him at all. Yeah, it was all about Pen and Marina, but that was also because Colin was just written as clueless. That has been his one beat far too often. I don't know if the actor can handle more because they never give him anything. Even scenes that are supposedly about him treat him as a nonentity. And IMO that is much more a script than a performance problem. I've enjoyed the recent Coughlan interviews, though. I concur with her view on Pen and hope that this perception lands on screen next season.

I think while Violet loves her children, she seems very set in her ways. And very much tied to her own experiences with little imagination how it could be different for other people. And so she keeps on doing things that are not working even though she sees that she's not reaching her kids. So far this has been a problem with Daphne, Anthony and Eloise.

See I think that Penelope has been trying to rationalize that she had no choice but to attack Daphne, Marina or Eloise. Or ruin that other modiste's livelihood. But she had other choices, they would just have meant giving up LW or coming up with different ways to protect herself. Every time it was about doing something that did damage to someone else so Penelope could keep on doing what she wanted. It wasn't for their own good at all. That doesn't make her evil, but it makes her wholly self-absorbed and ruthless and I'd absolutely want some introspection from her why she is doing these things and how much damage she has done in other people's lives. At the moment she seems to think that her position in life entitles her to play judge, jury and executioner as LW. I understand that she feels disempowered in her everyday life and compensates as puppet master with the column. But even then some self-awareness about how she contributes to those dynamics in her own life would be good: For example, yeah her friendship with Eloise is centered on Eloise. But that is both because Eloise is self-absorbed and because Pen has been lying and holding back from Eloise for years.

I think that focusing on familial duty so heavily with Kate made sense and I've seen articles that it resonated with viewers with a South Asian background. So that might have been a conscious choice and in fundamentals it worked. What I think doesn't work is the white characters skating on behavior that would have been dragged if committed by a POC, I sometimes suspect on the idea that a white female audience will not care what they do because they can function as self-inserts. Daphne assaulting Simon without consequences also brings in really unfortunate additional connotations since the show might sometimes act as if race does not matter, but it's not operating in some sort of vacuum. And OTOH you have the Sharmas, where there is at least a tacit acknowledgement that they come from a different cultural background than the London Ton. Same with just assuming goodwill and identification for Penelope. So to sum up: The writing for Kate is not what I'm criticizing here, I'm criticizing that they don't think they need to do the work for Pen and Daphne when it comes to holding them accountable for faults. Not even the characters realizing stuff themselves, the lenient framing they get in-show. Of course the final judgement on that is already in with Daphne, that was a trainwreck. Jury is still out on Pen, but IMO so far they've been wobbling about what they want to do with the LW stuff and what sorts of ramifications it should have. And IMO the fallout should be pretty drastic and I'm not sure that they will have the guts to go there.

Yes, that is true. But what I am mostly talking about is framing by the show. Kate thinks she has to do everything for her family. But she does it in controlling ways that can do more harm than good. The show calls her on the carpet for this. Lady Danbury points it out and then she basically plays herself by pulling Edwina's attention only to Anthony by trying block him. Hence the temper tantrum at the soiree. And then of course the more grave fallout after the wedding, including "half-sister" and all. When she makes mistakes there are consequences. We're supposed to think that Daphne assaulting Simon was okay. And yeah, Penelope is always a bit teary before she throws yet another person to the wolves as LW. But I think the fact that we are in her point of view draws sympathy towards her and minimizes the ramifications in the narrative structure.

I think both Violet and Mary were in some ways in imaginary relationships with their eldest kids. That's why they were so ineffective. They both don't know their children all that well because Kate and Anthony are so walled off. Violet to some degree understands that something is not right but she always goes about it the wrong way by droning on about duty and how he's not Edmund to a son who is already drowning in duties and traumatized by his father's death. So he shuts her out even more. Or look at how oblivious Mary is when she says that Kate just wants her independence. Kate's whole face falls and it doesn't register with Mary at all. The trainwreck wedding and how Kate and Anthony keep hurting themselves because they think that is what they owe their families finally serves as a wake up call. But even then Anthony basically has to spell out that he thinks she doesn't love him for Violet to get a clue. The unhealthy dynamics are pretty deeply ingrained.

The problem with Colin so far has been that they don't write well for him at all. Yeah, he has scenes. But nothing so far has made him interesting or distinct. And yes, perhaps that's also on the actor not elevating the material, but tbh the material he is getting has been such a dud, it's probably difficult to make any of that work. Penelope: She's well acted and interesting. But agree that this show often has difficulty holding its characters accountable. I don't trust them to come to satisfying terms with the fact that Pen has been deliberately hurting people and ruining lives as LW. They also seemed to think that Daphne assaulting Simon because she wants babies is just hunky dory. They have a bit of a history of not quite understanding what they are putting on screen... I do think the second season resonating is also tied to the fact that no one pretended in show that Anthony and Kate are perfect. And they themselves are always ready to take responsibility for mistakes. And as a viewer you could have sympathy for these two control freak micromanagers have their lives thrown asunder by each other because the show didn't pretend that they hadn't made a mess of things. I'd even go as far as to say that Kate getting constantly berated or berating herself started to get uncomfortable the longer into the season they went and the clearer it got how little she values herself and that she thinks that she's not entitled to want things of her own. Contrast that with Penelope and Daphne. I know the show doesn't want to dwell on race as a topic. But I find the difference in presentation contrasting Kate with Daphne and Pen a bit striking.

I'm not surprised. Not sure how it will work since they made Penelope a morally grey character and I'm not sure they will convincingly deal with the fallout of that. And so far, Colin has been a total nonentity. The danger of Pen totally overwhelming him with her presence is pretty great tbh. OTOH they can't drag it out even more without annoying the audience to death with her pining and his cluelessness. Hopefully it will cut down on the tiresome Featherington subplots that always had to be shoved in to keep Pen prominent. And I guess they will really move to an ensemble structure proper with setting up Francesca's first marriage and perhaps introducing Sophie for Benedict. Kate and Anthony can settle into married life while Eloise deals with her break ups from Pen and Theo.

Colin is not the sharpest tool in the shed, at least on the show. ;-) Or at least he comes across as still very naive and unobservant, to be more generous about it. So I guess that explains his obliviousness in part. And to be fair to the character, if you know someone from childhood/for a very long time, it's often difficult to get beyond the first impression you had of them. And then they stay that childhood friend in your perception, even though they have developed further. That said, I'm very interested how they will work out that dynamic on the show. Penelope comes across as so much more mature and life-hardened than Colin, in good and bad ways. I don't see them as a good fit at the moment tbh.

I think that is also tied to Kate's rather obsessive focus on Anthony and banning him from Edwina. As a strategy it's pretty stupid because it drew all of Edwina's attention towards him. She was already interested because he was one of the most eligible bachelors, wealthy and handsome. And then Kate made him all dangerous and exciting by trying to block him. If she'd just pointed out that Anthony is not interested in love and boring, while Lumley is a much more ardent suitor, perhaps she'd have actually steered Edwina in that direction.

Yeah, I thought they just desperately wanted the soap opera moment with the failed wedding and therefore things had to be dragged out in a very tedious manner. And that episode just goes on and on and on and nothing happens. It doesn't even provide proper characterization for Edwina IMO, even though she's so strongly focused. The sort of development she gets could have been accomplished in a few minutes, with having the broken engagement be the scandal and she could have questioned Kate and her role in life just as well without the trainwreck at the altar. It would have made the families overcoming the scandal also easier to believe, hushing up a broken engagement is easier than hushing up a publicly aborted wedding that the whole Ton attended... It also pulled focus from Kate and Anthony, particularly Kate, to center on the melodrama of it, because it's not like Edwina got all that much development IMO, just endless repetitions of the same scene.

Coming back late to this, but I thought the end of the episode was pretty much a hard knockdown for Kate. It was a neat commentary on the usual gender dynamics of the season by reversing them with the soiree. And then Anthony came and blew it up with sincerity. That's why Kate had the public meltdown, since she both could see that Edwina is now hooked and she reluctantly admired Anthony in that moment as well. Also, she totally and publicly lost control of the situation. Nothing she hates more. She also instantly acknowledges to Lady Danbury that she made a cake of herself by storming out. What I found interesting is that Anthony looks at her afterwards with what seems like empathy. Yeah, unconscious attraction probably mixed in, but also what seems like genuine concern for the fact that she's upset. He knows all about being overprotective towards sisters.

Yeah, the lack of writing for Kate is the major frustration of the season for me. Ashley has done interviews that show she has a deep understanding of the character, her issues and where she needs to go from here. And she made work whatever she could with her performance, but it's annoying that so much had to be done without words since the script is not focused on Kate as it should be. Kate is basically a Mr Darcy type. A closed off introvert who tries to repress her feelings at all costs. A character like that needs a little more careful presentation.

They are all very beautiful, but Nicola was the only one who was even vaguely on theme? I know the designers sponsor them and they have not much say in what they are wearing, but IMO both LV and Moschino could have put in some effort...

I think part of Anthony's frustration and (bad) reasoning for the proposal is his belief that Kate does not return his feelings. Or is only attracted to him, while he is falling in love. So I do think her admitting that it's reciprocated would have been a whole new ballgame. I don't know if the two of them would have done something constructive with it since they both have a truckload of issues LOL, but it would have changed things considerably. As messed up as it was, I do think it rang true with the theme that goes on throughout the season that Anthony is always further along in figuring out his feelings, checking in with reality and becoming self-aware about what he actually wants as opposed to what he should want. Kate is stuck in deep, deep denial for a very long time.

For people who are adapting romance novels, IMO the Bridgerton TPTB have surprisingly bad understanding about what makes romances work LOL. That's been to some degree a problem in both seasons. I do think the focus on the drama and the triangle and the lack of focus on Kate were great writing mistakes that dragged the season to some degree. What did save it for me is that the writing/scenes that were present for Anthony/Kate seemed to at least understand what makes them as a couple. And Bailey and Ashley really, really understand what makes them tick and elevated what was there with their performances. That doesn't change the fact that it should have been more. The progression from two people lashing out at each other because they are so similar was well done in the first two episodes. Then the gradual recognition not only of their attraction but also an understanding of their comparable roles in their families and the resulting outlook on life they share. And the fear of that ending with the disastrous proposal. Then it dragged on too long with the stupid wedding, that should have been used to actually have Kate and Anthony resolve their issues. After the failed wedding then basically Anthony helping Kate figure out what she wants to do in life, since she was so stuck in never doing anything for herself. I have already said that I liked the emotional progression there because usually the romance heroine has to teach the hero how to have feelings. I liked the subversion of the trope, that Anthony got there himself while Kate needed the help. So for all the nonsense, IMO at least season two didn't destroy the foundation of the central pairing. Whereas season one was an unmitigated disaster for me at that front the moment they decided that they won't get rid of the sexual assault. It would have been such an easy fix. And in the end though Daphne and Simon had nice chemistry, I just thought their relationship was toxic beyond belief. They had not solved what actually needed solving: The lies, manipulations and violations their relationship is based on. Simon wanting or not wanting kids became pretty much background noise to the much more severe issues they had that were presented on-screen and then never resolved.

Yeah, I thought Edwina basically just starting to develop a personality at 18/19 is a direct result of Kate protecting/controlling/smothering her to a point where she's both totally focused on finding the perfect match with unrealistic expectations and also acts like a typical teenager that feels entitled to things going her way without knowing about the family's difficult circumstances. In that sense Kate hurt her, even if it was done out of love and with the best of intentions.

Yeah, I think I can kind of cobble together why she's so stuck in her shame and guilt, but it's all happening in the background with not enough focus on her even though she has such major issues still at this point. Anthony even in season one was shown as someone who can compartmentalize to a certain extent and is aware that he needs some form of escape from the pressure he puts on himself. And his strained relationship with his mother indicates that he is aware how she contributed to the situation and does not shy away from assigning a portion of blame and responsibility to her. His family is also largely supportive of a potential match with Kate. Add in that he's a man of high rank and a considerable fortune, I think the obstacles to him realizing what he wants and that he is allowed to try to achieve it for himself are lower. Kate seems stuck in massive denial about various aspects of her life and relationships. Her grand masterplan for Edwina has just blown up for her. Edwina and Mary seem to blame and resent her for her actions at this point. She feels guilt and shame for her own feelings and for not being a good enough daughter/sister and not deserving of love because all her managing and sacrificing has not led to the results she wanted. I think her ambitions for Edwina and her marriage were so absolute and consuming for the last decade of her life that she didn't even allow herself to think about goals for herself. On top of that she is a 26 (an "old maid" as perceived by society) woman of lower rank, no fortune and I know the show does not want to acknowledge race and colonialism, but it's there all the same. I also think that no one in the Sharma household had yet figured out that something was dysfunctional about their dynamic, with Kate taking on everything for everyone. Edwina and Mary are just now waking up to it. The stakes for her are incredibly high. But as I said, this is mostly my speculation hammered together from scraps the show offers. Her being so frozen and panicked for two episodes should have been explored, yet it mostly just served as plot device.

They turned Kate from extrovert to introvert in the show, which is an interesting choice IMO and perhaps tied to Ashley's strengths as an actor. I did miss the warmth that Kate in the book had to some degree, but the way they really set up the emotional isolation for Kate in the show made it understandable why she is so very guarded. They also swapped up one set of insecurities in the book for another set of insecurities in the series, IMO even more severe ones. Then they didn't properly focus on them, just as a plot device or as background noise for Edwina's and Anthony's arcs, for the most part. That is not good, And I do think the almost total omission of Kate POV has served to create distance towards the character for some viewers. Could have been easily avoided. But yeah, the wedding night in the book starts with a big yikes. I thought they kept the best parts of Anthony's characterization from the book and did away with the more old-fashioned romance novel baggage, that worked very well. And since Daphne/Simon stayed dysfunctional in both the series and the book, it was a nice change to have Kate and Anthony be two adults who figure out that they want to be together. Since they both have issues they produce a lot of collateral damage, but it felt messy in a more aware sort of way. While IMO Daphne and Simon at the end of the first season basically still hadn't really addressed the toxicity in their marriage.

I really hope so. What bothers me on rewatch even more and makes the IMO inadequate focus on Kate even worse: Her plot reads like a barely prevented tragedy. Which is different from the book, as is the decision to make her closed off and introverted. It becomes painful to watch this woman basically wanting to erase herself out of existence. It's not about marriage or not, it's the transactional way Kate seems to view love and that she thinks she is only worthwhile to her family if she's in a constant state of self-sacrifice. Starting in episode 6, IMO it becomes almost unbearable to watch. And the lack of focus on her reinforces her view of herself on a structural level. Contrast that with Penelope, who is also on the sidelines in society, but gets lots of point of view and is centralized. Like in episode 7 Kate is constantly berated or she is berating herself, it feels like. The contrast with the gazebo scene where Anthony is totally focused on her is super effective and even moving because of that. Yet right after she drowns in so much shame and guilt that it results in that riding accident. Now, there's nothing inherently wrong with such a narrative and I think a big part of the chemistry Anthony and Kate have is tied to the fact that they overcome this mindset together that they are only worthwhile as human beings if they do their duty. But this is only really addressed and resolved for Anthony. I actually think Kate's issues cut even deeper but it's only present to bring the plot forward and takes place on the sidelines of other stories. I've seen some criticism of Ashley and I think she did great with what she was given, but the writing/lack of writing for Kate is often frustrating throughout the series.

Absolutely, Edwina was right to drag them to hell for their actions. There was no malice involved but the way Anthony and Kate are used to managing and making decisions for everyone stripped Edwina of agency and was a huge emotional betrayal. Just because they had good intentions does not justify anything. I think her massive anger at Kate is both that such a mess colliding with a lifelong bond cuts deeper and that Kate is in such determined denial about everything.

Yeah, I thought the great focus on Pen so early on is a mistake tbh. Colin is useless, but at least doesn't draw as much attention. I understand that NC is great and they like the Gossip Girl aspect, but I thought her story and Eloise and the Featherington plot took up way too much time. You can create an ensemble, which is how they shifted it from season 1 to season 2 structurally, without getting this dragged down by the supposed side plots. Penelope got more storyline and focus than Kate, that's the really troubling aspect. Anthony had a fantastic leading man arc IMO. Better than whatever confused mess Simon got last year since he was saddled with that unresolved sexual assault plot that for me sunk Daphne and Simon as a pairing for good. But Kate was really sidelined for much of the series. She didn't need flashbacks or anything, she just needed to be the center of her own story. And until episode 8, IMO she wasn't. I do think the appeal of Kate and Anthony, for those viewers who liked the pairing, is tied to the fact that Anthony very much tries to get her into the center of her own narrative. While she thinks that she's not worth it and should stay on the sidelines.

I thought they did a good job of establishing why Edwina and Anthony could be a good match in theory while not working in execution. It's a marriage of convenience but they like each other and IMO would be invested in making it successful. In their society that is a lot more than many other matches start with. Kate had taken herself out of the equation by declaring that she's going back to India no matter what. On paper it made sense for Anthony to propose to a pleasant girl he liked, while rationalizing away his attraction to Kate as a heat of the moment thing. Only once the engagement gets underway does he become aware of the emotional complications this will present long-term. Kate is still firmly in denial. The hurt they cause Edwina with their misguided reasoning is cringe. But I understand why Edwina's anger focuses on Kate. Their lifelong relationship and Kate being a quasi mother to her heightens the emotional betrayal. Anthony also never declared his love for Edwina, while Kate filled her head with fairy tales. It's not fair on Kate but rang emotionally true. However, yeah Kate is often pretty rigid and can come across as unlikable, but they have her in a series of scenes get berated by various people for her behavior. It explains her defensive attitude and I don't know how much I like it in combo with the IMO lack of proper focus on her.

Yeah, they've written themselves into a corner with Colin IMO. So far, he's been inept at about anything he tries and doesn't have many charming or otherwise redeeming traits. I'm always bored with him and he comes across as rather useless all around. And I don't understand why they did this, the actor seems allright. If they gave him something halfway decent I'm sure he could cope. Benedict also hasn't gotten super exciting material so far IMO, but they've added enough moments to make him an appealing character. Should have been possible with Colin as well. And yeah, for comparison, Anthony was a bit of a jerk in the first season, but he also had moments with his family, with Simon and came across as pretty distinct, if not always likable. And then they could just build on that. Colin is a total personality-free void so far. Well, apart from "easily duped." ;-)

Yeah, it's one of those plot contrivances. Everyone has to be a bit/a lot stupid for it to go on as it does. It does create a parallel between Kate and Anthony, though: The parentification of the eldest child, even if done unconciously. And it twists the kid and you never get the responsibility and power dynamics back to the way they were. Violet tries to be a mother to Anthony but to a certain point he is just blocking her and I liked that in this season she recognized why this is happening and how she contributed to it. Mary was oblivious to this dynamic, it seems, and only figures it out once we met the Sharmas on the show. And of course the burden is too big for both Kate and Anthony to take care of everyone like that and and creates really screwed views of themselves and their worth (totally tied to their real and perceived duties). They're also not able to recognize that it is not always needed anymore, compared to the crisis that started them on this path in the past. OTOH, the series also shows quite well how Violet and the Bridgerton siblings as well as Mary take for granted that Anthony/Kate will just deal with things. And then they get huffy if things go awry. ;-)